Cousins’ manager tossed for slap at Terry, Kings top Rockets

Meanwhile, the Kings have given Omri Casspi every opportunity to prove that he deserves to start next to Rudy Gay in their frontcourt this season and he has delivered of late with averages of 15.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 three-point shots per games over the last seven days. Rondo was penalized one game by the National Basketball Association for using a gay slur toward official Bill Kennedy in a recent game.

“(The Kings) came out in the third quarter and got open looks, and the message is that lot of players on this team are champing for playing time, and we’re going to go with the guys that go after it”, Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.

Starting for suspended guard Rajon Rondo, Darren Collison had 14 points, a season-high 13 assists and six rebounds as the Kings won their third in a row. Guard James Harden scored 33 points to pace the Rockets (12-14), who have lost the opening two games of a three-game road trip. “I have a insane team, and I’m kind of a insane guy, so…”

Terry had used Rogers to stop his momentum as he was heading toward the stands after a Sacramento Kings dunk.

“I grew up in these kids’ shoes – not as fortunate – I didn’t have the best Christmases”, Cousins said Monday night.

Celtics fans booed James all night and got behind their team when Isaiah Thomas drove for a layup that gave Boston a 50-45 lead with 9 minutes left in the third.

The Kings led 82-74 entering the fourth quarter and three early 3-pointers by Marcus Belinelli helped them maintain control in snapping an eight-game losing streak against Houston. “That’s all there is”, said Terry, who clearly did not want to discuss the situation. “This is no place on or off the court for language that disrespects anyone’s sexual orientation”.

Rockets star Dwight Howard was in foul trouble and wasn’t much of a factor.